Social Democratic Party of Hungary

The Social Democratic Party of Hungary (MSZDP) was a social democratic political party in Hungary that was active from 1890 to 1948. The party was formed by the General Workers Party of Hungary, and it grew in power and influence until World War I, which resulted in the party fracturing into pro-war and anti-war factions. The party entered into government as part of an unsuccessful postwar socialist government, and many MSZDP supporters were massacred during the White Terror of 1919-21. In 1921, the MSZDP made its peace with Miklos Horthy's government; more radical elements were suppressed, while trade union activity was driven increasingly underground during the 1930s. During World War II, activity drained to a halt, and the party was outlawed after the Nazi takeover of Hungary in 1944, with many of the leaders being executed and the remainder imprisoned or driven underground. In November 1945, the MSZDP finished in a strong second place during the elections, and, from 1945 to 1948, they governed in association with the Independent Smallholders, Agrarian Workers and Civic Party. They were later pressured to join the Hungarian Communist Party, and the right-wing was excluded from the MSZDP before the remainder joined the Hungarian Working People's Party. With the establishment of the police state, MSZDP members were forced to join the communists, and by the end of 1948 the MSZDP ceased to function independently.

The party briefly re-emerged during the Hungarian Revolution in 1956, taking a role in Imre Nagy's government. Following the suppression of the revolution in 1956 and 1957, the MSZDP disappeared again under state repression, and much of the leadership escaped into exile. In 1989, the MSZDP was re-founded, taking a prominent role in the transitional government before the first elections. The party competed with the Hungarian Socialist Party for left-wing support, and, following the defeats in 1990 and 1994, the MSZDP would repeatedly fail to cross the electoral threshold.